Generous donation to support premature babies and their families
A team of RAF colleagues have flown into action to support the hospital unit that cared for a colleague’s premature baby.
Vienna Margarson was born at 25 weeks weighing 730 grams.
Her parents say the care and support they and Vienna received on the Neonatal Unit at Lincoln County Hospital was simply amazing.
Her dad, Corporal Margarson, said: “Vienna spent 88 days in hospital after she was born, much of which was here in Lincoln. The whole team were amazing. From Louise the midwife who supported us through Vienna’s early arrival to the whole Neonatal Unit Team. We will never be able to repay them for all of the care they provided to Vienna and their kindness and support to us.”
Vienna’s parents joined forces with friends and family, as well as Corporal Margarson’s colleagues from the RAF Waddington gymnasium, to raise funds for the unit. The gym staff held an 880 mile sponsored Watt Bike ride in the Waterside Shopping Centre to mark the 88 days of care Vienna received in hospital.
They also held numerous raffles with prizes that included a signed Lincoln City football shirt and hampers donated by local businesses. Corporal Margarson’s nan Sylvia also organised a bingo event in North Somercotes that was really well supported. Together they raised £3,553.
Vienna and her parents were joined by RAF colleagues on a recent visit to present a cheque to the unit via the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity. They were welcomed by nurses Thea Smith and Sarah Russell who both looked after Vienna.
Thea said: “It is the best feeling in the world to see Vienna and how well she is doing. It has made my week. For the family, friends and the RAF colleagues to raise all of this money is so humbling and amazing.”
Gary Burr, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Fundraiser, said: “We cannot thank the Margarson family enough for all of their support and amazing fundraising. However, the best gift for all of us is seeing just how well Vienna is doing. She is the inspiration behind all of this.
“Donations from patients and the public enable the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity to provide the additional extras in our hospitals that cannot be provided by the NHS.
“We will use this money to directly support the young babies and their families on the unit. It is going to make such a difference to so many.”
The family also delivered lots of hand knitted hats, blankets and teddies for other babies on the unit.
Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Consultant spine surgeon welcomed to The Lincoln Hospital
Consultant spine surgeon, Mr Tony Bateman, has been welcomed to The Lincoln Hospital.
Mr Bateman’s keen interest in spine care began whilst studying Medicine and Surgery at Imperial College School of Medicine. Through his studies here, he was able to investigate and publish research on spinal kinematics during rowing with the help of the British Rowing team.
Some of Mr Bateman’s clinical interests include:
- Spine surgery including minimally invasive techniques
- Spine injections
- Degenerative lumbar and cervical disc disease surgery
- Cervical spine disorders
- Spine disorders in sport
- Non-operative spine care
- Back pain and neck pain
- Osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture management
Inspection finds serious tree disease in Cleethorpes
Following an inspection by the trees and woodlands officers, it has been confirmed that a number of the trees in Cleethorpes are in a state of decline due to the presence of Dutch Elm Disease.
The disease is one of the most serious tree diseases in the world.
Dutch Elm Disease was first introduced in Britain in the 1920s, killing 10 to 40 percent of all elm trees.
It then returned in the 1960s when a more aggressive species of the fungus was accidentally introduced.
Currently, there are 15 trees which have the disease along the boundary of Kings Road and the Lakeside car park.
Due to the extent of the infection, 8 of them have already been recommended for removal which is expected to take place over the coming weeks and months. The other 45 trees in the zone will continue to be monitored and actioned accordingly.
North East Lincolnshire Council are looking to remove those clearly infected and replace them with suitable replacements for the local environment.
Removing these trees will help to prevent the spread of the infection.
Councillor Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, said: “It’s a terrible shame that these trees have become infected with Dutch Elm Disease.
“However, to prevent the problem from spreading and affecting more trees, the Council has no choice but to remove those that are clearly infected.
“As a Council committed to the local environment, we will ensure to do all we can to secure the sustainability of our local trees and replant any that are lost as a result of this work.”
Image courtesy of North East Lincolnshire Council
Light Night event expects to transform Spilsby
Spilsby Light Night takes place on Saturday, 17th February and is expected to showcase a dynamic lineup of acts, performances, and installations, all designed to illuminate the heart of the town.
Simon Hollingworth, the event’s Creative Producer said: “Through the SessionsArts programme, we are delighted to be delivering the fourth edition of this joyous event and we really hope that people come out on the night and get involved, there will be so much to enjoy!”
Highlights include:
- Art Installations: Transforming the town centre into an open-air gallery, from light displays to animations to digital sculptures. Kaleidoscopia, a light display by Benedict Sheehan will project onto Spilsby Sessions House. Neurons, large intricate light sculptures by Gemma Wood, will decorate the town centre.
- Captivating Acts: Illuminated street entertainers will perform, interact and play, enchanting audiences with unique characters and telling stories through shadow puppetry. Moths at Work, by Pif-Paf Theatre, present a high energy walkabout performance; witness and interact with The Light Gliders by Circo Rum Ba Ba
- Fairy Light Parade: A highlight of the evening, the fairy light parade will guide visitors through the transformed town centre in a dazzling procession of colour, as participants are encouraged to adorn themselves in wearable lights and UV paint (provided) to become a part of the magic. With a combination of traditional Bhangra dance and Dhol Drumming, Punjabi Roots Academy will be leading the parade with their energetic, rhythmically pounding performance.
- Interactive Music: Unleash your creativity on large-scale, interactive digital instruments such as the Ode to… xylophone and Fabuloso Organ; dance at the family-friendly silent disco.
- Community Engagement: As well as a celebration of art and creativity, Spilsby Light Night is also an opportunity for the community to come together and become a part of something extraordinary — families, friends and neighbours gather to embrace a winter night enlivened by music and colour. Lumo Workshop’s artists, Lou Jones and Nadya Monfrinoli, have been working with pupils from Woodlands Academy, a specialist secondary academy for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs. The artwork will be displayed as a unique digital installation inside the Franklin Hall.
Super support from Sutton on Sea WI for vital work of LNAA
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance are delighted with the support shown from the members of Sutton on Sea WI who chose the much-loved air ambulance charity as their Charity of the Year for 2023.
LNAA’s volunteer Steve Tandy attended a talk for 60 members of the Sutton on Sea WI this week and accepted a cheque on behalf of LNAA for £500.
Steve said: “It was lovely to meet everyone involved with this fundraising initiative. Generous support like this allows us to spread awareness of LNAA among local communities as well as helping keep our crew in the air and by patients’ sides on their worst day.”
It is thanks to the generosity and goodwill of supporters throughout the area that the crew of Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance can provide such a critical care.
The highly skilled doctors, paramedics and pilots help people across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, involved in life-threatening incidents every single day.
LNAA is one of the UK’s leading Helicopter Emergency Service (HEMS) charities, bringing the equivalent of a hospital emergency department to patients at the scene, giving those with the most severe injuries and medical conditions the very best chance of survival when minutes matter.
Valentine’s Day is not a happy day for everyone – Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service warns of ‘love bombing’
1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men experience domestic abuse during their lifetime.
Physical violence is only one aspect of domestic abuse. Abuse can also include a wide range of coercive and controlling behaviour, including threats, harassment, stalking, financial or economic control and emotional abuse.
Cards, flowers, gifts and lavish treatment are not always true indicators of love or a respectful relationship. They could also be a sign of ‘love bombing’.
If you are in a new relationship, abusers often portray themselves as charming, attentive, romantic, they put on a facade, a deceptive outward appearance, and only reveal their true selves once they have gained their partner’s trust and love. Their goal is to establish and maintain power and control over their partner.
Love bombing is where an abusive partner is excessive and obsessive, using emotional abuse and coercive control over their partner. The abuser can be intense and seek early and premature commitment as well as use constant affection and gifts, bombarding with messages, lots of compliments but little real conversation or listening.
Love bombing can also take place in the reconciliation ‘phases’ of a relationship, and we often associate it with the following behaviours or “red flags” – read more here https://ldass.org.uk/am-i-being-abused
Red flags:
- Jealous and possessive?
- Gets too serious too fast?
- Love bombing/puts you on a pedestal?
- Isolating you from family and friends?
- Do you feel like you’re walking on eggshells?
- Gets angry/aggressive quickly?
- Pressure you to have sex?
- Attempts to manipulate you?
- They’re easily insulted and see everything as a personal attack?
- Boasts about mistreating others?
- Blames others for problems?
- Uses drugs?
- Disrespectful and cruel to others?
- Constantly moody/sudden mood changes or agitated?
- Doesn’t respect your property or privacy?
If you have concerns about your relationship, or are feeling uncomfortable or worried, remember that you are not alone and there is help and support available!
You have a right to feel safe and comfortable in your relationship. If you are in immediate danger contact the police on 999.
For advice and support in Lincolnshire visit https://ldass.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Domestic Abuse Specialist Service or call Support Hub on 01522 510041 option 2
24hr National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247
Respect Men’s advice line is 0808 8010327
Helpline for perpetrators 0808 8024040
Light Night event coming to Ayscoughfee Gardens
Ayscoughfee Gardens will come to life on Saturday 23 March for Light Night, a special event of creative installations, sculptures and performances to celebrate its heritage and local and global historical links.
The free event, which will run from 6pm – 8pm, will feature fire displays, musical acts, interactive performances, light displays and arts and crafts workshops, as part of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership’s Arts Council England NPO project.
A variety of displays and activities will be situated around the Gardens on the night, with visitors having the chance to create artwork and displays that will become part of the installations and learn more about the hidden history of Ayscoughfee and its stories. The Gardens will also be illuminated with a covering of enchanting multi-coloured lights.
In the build up to the event, new art collective A&E Collaborative and artist Emily Cartwright will be working with residents, students and local community groups to create some of the artwork.
Some of these sessions will be taking place during February half term and are available to book on to now. All of the workshops will be free for participants to take part, enabling as many local people as possible to be a part of the collaborative effort to create a spectacular Light Night evening, be creative and learn more about local history.
The ‘Wonder-fall’ workshops are open to children aged 11-18 and will be lead by Liz Kelleher of A&E Collaborative at Ayscoughfee Hall, to create a recycled plastic bottle ‘waterfall’ which is hoped to be brought to life with projection art.
The event is being organised by the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership and Transported, working with Jamie Hawker Services, A&E Collaborative and Emily Cartwright.
The Partnership’s NPO funding looks to support arts, culture, heritage and creativity across the whole of South and East Lincolnshire, providing meaningful opportunity and programming for residents, developing the sector and helping to build our arts, culture and heritage offer.
Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens was identified through the bid as South Holland’s creative hub to deliver creative activity as part of the funding, with the programme being supported by an eight-member culture board which draws experience from a variety of sectors.
Councillor Elizabeth Sneath, South Holland District Council’s representative on the NPO culture board, said: “I am delighted to see this celebration of Ayscoughfee’s heritage taking place, giving the opportunity to find out more about local history and get creative in what promises to be truly magical surroundings.
“I am especially pleased that local artists, communities and schools are getting involved to create the installations, and transform the already beautiful Gardens into a unique experience. I hope people will join us for this event to support the work of the local community and see Ayscoughfee in a different light.”
Director of Transported, Nick Jones, said: “Transported are excited to be working with the new NPO in the development of an exciting arts initiative that will see new types of experiences created in the fantastic setting of Ayscoughfee that will reflect some of the amazing stories behind Spalding’s connection to the rest of the world.”
The free open-to-the-public workshops must be booked in advance through Transported’s Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/transported-art-68847340313.
Freemasons’ gift helps rugby players tackle the cold and dark
Freemasons from Horncastle have welcomed members of the town’s Rugby Club to the town’s Masonic Centre on Banks Street to give them £1,000 – £500 towards all-weather jackets to keep their substitutes warm on the side-lines and a further £500 to spend on mobile lighting to make winter training easier.
The £500 for jackets came from members of the Olive Union Lodge, and the lighting money from the Horncastle Masonic Centre and Horncastle Masonic Benevolent Fund, both of which gave £250.
As well as members from Olive Union Lodge, others from Bolingbroke Castle Lodge, the Round Table Lodge of Lincolnshire, Rudyard Kipling Lodge and Sir Joseph Banks Daylight Lodge were all there to help entertain the rugby players, who were treated to a tour of the building and a brief talk on Freemasonry before retiring to the bar.
Work begins on Starbucks drive-thru at Grimsby business park
Construction has begun on a Starbucks drive-thru café at Europarc, the business location on the south bank of the Humber.
The coffee house will serve the growing community of workers and visitors to developer Wykeland Group’s Europarc business park in Grimsby.
The 1,800 sq ft, single storey drive-thru and eat-in café will have additional external seating and 22 car parking spaces, including four electric vehicle charging bays.
Construction work has now begun, with the facility expected to open its doors this summer.
Having successfully taken the Starbucks facility through the planning process, securing approval from North East Lincolnshire Council, Wykeland has sold the site to property and development company Burney Group, which will deliver and let the café to Starbucks franchise K Beverage.
Wykeland Development Director Jonathan Stubbs said: “The arrival of Starbucks will add to the appeal of Europarc and provide a high quality new facility for employees and visitors to enjoy.
“Europarc is firmly established as the location of choice on the south bank of the Humber for leading businesses and we continue to see strong demand from companies keen to invest on site.
“Having worked closely with Burney Group in securing planning approval, we’re delighted to have concluded a deal to sell the land, which enables the new Starbucks drive-thru café to be taken forward and delivered.
“Burney Group has a proven track record of delivering high-quality roadside retail developments of this kind across the UK, including a number of other Starbucks drive-thrus. They share our commitment to job creation and economic development and it’s been a pleasure to work with them on this project.”
Developed and owned by Wykeland, Europarc has more than 800,000 sq ft of business space, with over 2,500 people employed on site.
Blue chip occupiers include supermarket giant Morrisons, Humber Seafood Institute, Ultimate Packaging, the Hain Daniels Group and 2 Sisters Food Group.
Image credit: Neil Holmes Photography
Hospice staff ‘thrilled’ to be named Imps’ charity partner
Supporter of Lincoln City have voted for St Barnabas Hospice to be one of two charity partners of the club for the 2024 season.
The vote was extremely close, with the club receiving thousands of votes from supporters who voted online on the LCFC website between the 18th of December and the 3rd of January. The supporters’ decision means that St Barnabas will now be working closely with the football club, alongside other charity partners Marie Curie Lincolnshire, Lincoln City Foundation and Samaritans.
Liam Scully, CEO of Lincoln City FC, said: “At the heart of compassion, St Barnabas Hospice embodies the unwavering commitment to provide solace and support to those navigating life’s most challenging moments.
“We stand proud in our partnership with St Barnabas, applauding the profound impact of their compassionate care in our local community, and we look forward to promoting their good work across the year.”
Lincoln City FC charity partners are allocated main priority for fundraising support and profile awareness supported by the club throughout the year in the hope of raising more important funds for their causes.
During the season, staff at the club are committed to helping these charities with fundraising activities, all designed to raise the profile of the charity.
Collaborative fundraising activities between LCFC and St Barnabas can vary throughout the year, including priority to carry out matchday bucket collections and benefitting from player appearances.
Caroline Swindin, Head of Fundraising and Lottery at St Barnabas, said: “I am thrilled that we have managed to secure such a wonderful charity partnership with Lincoln City Football Club. This partnership means so much to us in terms of helping to raise our profile in the local community. It will allow us to support more people and their families across Lincolnshire living with a life-limiting or terminal illness.
“From the bottom of my heart and everyone at St Barnabas, we want to say a huge thank you to all who nominated and voted for us during this process. The support we have received from individuals and local businesses throughout Lincolnshire has been outstanding.”
